INTERNATIONAL PIECE AND UNDERSTANDING
INTRODUCTION
Peace is an occurrence of harmony characterized by the lack of violence, conflict behaviors and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility and retribution, peace also suggests sincere attempts at reconciliation, the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the establishment of equality, and a working political order that serves the true interests of all.
MORE ABOUT PEACE
In the past decade, the world was in a state of unrest almost all the time, regardless natural or man-made disasters. In 2001, the 9-11 terrorist attack evoked long-term tension between the US and the Middle East; Recently, political unrest in China raised concern on human rights around the world, and the focus was further intensified as Mr. Liu Xiaobo was selected as one of the laureates of Nobel Peace Prize 2010. A month ago, North Korea bombed South Korea, creating even more barriers between the two countries, leaving the world in further fear of the North Korean nuclear weapons.
All these events were caused by humans but little was done to relieve the stringent relationship among countries. Undesirable qualities such as distrust, greed and ego are apparent, leading to even more unnecessary disasters. This is precisely why world peace plays an important role in maintaining a harmonious relationship among people.
World peace is a state when nobody has any intention in creating disputes or even wars, which result in grief and hatred. It is a state that still exists only in theory, but it is without doubt that this is a common goal everyone is trying to achieve.
Take 9-11 terrorist attack as an example. After the cataclysmic day, the country that claims to promote freedom sent troops to the Middle East and wars started. This country of liberty, while claiming to dismantle evil forces, was strongly believed to be foraging crude oil. Ever since the wars had begun, what we saw on news every time was casualties, casualties, and more casualties. A deepening racial aversion between the Americans and the Islamic group was also growing.
However, after Obama took over as president of the US, he resigned the troops. Although immediate effect may not be apparent so far, so many people support his decision that he was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in advance to his contribution towards world peace. However much controversy this Prize has aroused, it is undoubtedly a concrete piece of proof on the importance of promoting world peace, in the aspect of defining a brighter future for all of us.
Youngsters, as the driving force for the future, are crucial in promoting peace, and there are many ways to be a part of this force.
Firstly, young people can take part in exchange programs and international conferences. Participation is beneficial in promoting international understanding because with such activities, young people get to know more about the others from different cultures, beliefs, habits etc. Many disputes are caused by misunderstanding and therefore, an exchange program could help youngsters gain an international perspective and broaden their horizons. The chance of misunderstanding can then be reduced.
Secondly, young people can take part in community services. By getting in touch with people from all walks of life, they can get a broader picture of what the world is like and understand more about how the others feel by being a part of them. In this way, more care and love can be promoted and more international understanding is built.
Thirdly, young people can create causes related to world peace and encourage the people around them, like friends and relatives, to take part in. Experiential learning is one of the most effective ways in understanding concepts and when young people create all these events, they are also a part of learning process. Organizations like the WYSE are promoting exactly this kind of learning and indeed many benefit from such causes, including the needy and the participants of the project.
There are of course many other ways for your involvement in promoting world peace and international understanding. As long as you have the heart for promoting peace, you already have helped to promote international understanding.
GLOBALISATION
Gordon B. Hinckley saw a trend in national politics by which city-states and nation-states have unified and suggests that the international arena will eventually follow suit. Many countries such as China, Italy, the United States, Australia, Germany, India and Britain have unified into single nation-states with others like the European Union following suit, suggesting that further globalization will bring about a unified world order.
International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. In 2013, for the first time, the Day has been dedicated to peace education, i.e. by the key preventive means to reduce war sustainably.
Economic implications
A report in May 2011 on the Global Peace Index highlighted that had the world been 25% more peaceful in the past year, the global economy would have benefited by an additional $2 trillion, which would account for 2% of global GDP per annum required to mitigate global warming, cover all costs to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, cancel all public debt held by Greece, Ireland and Portugal, and cover the rebuilding costs for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
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